2024 in Review: A Year of Community

Created:
December 26, 2024
Last Updated:
December 26, 2024

At its core, The McAlear Group (TMG) has always been a community-first company. A community comprised of team members, customers, neighbors and more, it’s a special one to say the least. Each year, the company and its community come together to support a variety of causes, locally and nationally.

2024 was no exception. This year, TMG expanded its annual support of various causes while also quickly acting to support communities facing unimaginable devastation following storms. The organization recognizes that community is our greatest strength and remembering that it is through our humanity we can best connect with each other.

Kyle Brown, SSC’s marketing assistant and coordinator of many community initiatives, reflected on the collaborative year, saying, “From our community and team events to our outreach efforts, this year’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of our customers. When we come together with a purpose, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish as an industry.”

TMG is proud to support its team members in driving community outreach. Through its donations match program, the organization donated $6,040.10 to 11 different charitable organizations, matching the donations of individual team members. The organizations included – Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Autism Society of NW Ohio, Metroparks Toledo Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Unbound, Our Lady of American Ministries, Bike MS, Flatwater, Toledo Humane Society, Peletonia, and Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.

Bike to the Bay, The McAlear Group team members lined up with bikes and jersey and helmets on.

Bike to the Bay

In June, team members supported the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Bike to the Bay. This annual event challenges participants to bike 50-100 miles through Northwest Ohio to raise awareness and funds for MS. Team members took on the challenge with many others cheering them on during the ride. TMG raised $2,200 toward the Society’s mission of empowering those affected by MS while working toward a world free of MS.

Group of SSC team member racers standing on corner street with "All of Us" t-shirts on

2024 Komen Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure

Continuing with its annual support of Susan G. Komen and breast cancer research, the company was the top fundraising company for the second year in a row! This year, the company expanded its involvement by extending donations to its customers, together raising nearly $4,000. A record number of team members took part in the Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure held in September.

Boxes of soap, diapers, canned doog and other goods stacked in the corner at the SSC corporate office

Hurricane Helene Relief in Western North Carolina

Headquarted in Northwest Ohio, but working in and serving communities around the country, TMG knew it needed to get involved in hurricane relief and recovery efforts this Fall. Hurricane Helene was the deadliest hit to the U.S. since Katrina two decades ago. While the storm made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, causing billions of dollars in damage, it was the rural communities in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee were the unforeseen victims of this historic storm. Rain, mudslides, flooding and more led to entire communities being wiped out. TMG partnered with its North Carolina customer, Doors by Nalley Inc., and the Denver (NC) Fire Department to collect essential supplies for small, cut-off communities. The company created and shared an Amazon Wish List with its customer base and team members, collecting essentials like heaters, tarps, lanterns, diapers, canned goods and more. The collected pallet was delivered for distribution with the help of the fire department.

Executive team members lined up in front of filled and packaged boxes for Operation Holiday Drop

SSC IT team members packing boxes with goods

Operation Holiday Drop

2024 marked the third annual TMG Operation Holiday Drop, an initiative driven to support our active U.S. military members serving oversees each holiday season through crafted care packages. With a record to break and service men and women to support, TMG and its team members set out to make 2024 even bigger than year’s past. Together with its customers, TMG purchased and packaged 1,129 care packages at SSC’s Toledo Manufacturing Facility to be sent to active U.S. military members filled with snacks, treats, game books, Marsha’s Buckeyes, Chick-fil-a sauce, socks and more. Northwest Ohio businesses supported the care packages through donations, including Marsha’s Buckeyes and Chick-fil-a on Airport Highway.

Uniquely Better, Together

As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that the heart of The McAlear Group’s success lies in its unwavering commitment to community. This year has been a testament to the power of coming together for a common good. With every donation, every volunteer hour, and every act of kindness, TMG has helped create a ripple effect of positive change. As we move into the new year, we’re reminded that it’s through our shared efforts and collective humanity that we can truly make a difference for our customers and our community. Here’s to continuing to build and support the communities that make us who we are. Together, we are uniquely better.